Men
are 3-5
times more likely than women to gender-bend in MMORPGs. The demographic
that is most likely to gender-bend are men over the age of 25. We
know that 85% of MMORPG players are male, so if you do
the math, at any given moment, half of all female avatars are
actually being played by men.

There are many compelling explanations for why men gender-bend
so much more often than women. The most pragmatic reason is that
female avatars are treated better and more likely to receive gifts
and help from other players (who are mostly men). In other words,
men gain a functional advantage when they gender-bend whereas women
lose that advantage. Another pragmatic reason is that in games where
third-person perspective is used, men prefer to stare at a female
body rather than a male body. This is tied closely to the Laura
Croft Syndrome - the appeal of being able to view and, more importantly,
control a female body that is sexy but deadly. Feminists have argued
that male gender-bending is really just a new way for men to dominate
female bodies. In other words, avatars such as Laura Croft are appealing
to men because it gives men the satisfaction of dominating a powerful
female body.

Players who have tried
gender-bending oftentimes talk about how the experience has
changed their understanding of gender roles. Men who have tried
gender-bending describe the tension between being treated better
and being treated as inferior. Many of them feel that female avatars
are viewed as weaker and less capable than male avatars. Women who
have tried gender-bending often realize how differently men are
socialized - that they should never ask for help or show weakness.
As one player describes,

I used to think men had it easy! Now I know they have issues
too; they are socialized to be more independent and not ask for
help. That has to be tough. [f, 37]